I loaded the character design panel.

Chapter 4 Offering oneself in return?

"Since the manager recommended it, Chung, could you make me a cup of 'Heartfelt Longing'?"

Ang Lee wasn't stupid; how could he not see through the shopkeeper's little scheme? However, he didn't expose him but let things take their course.

The store manager's character is that of a "virtuous wife and loving mother." Although she is not "kind" or "good person," virtuous wives and loving mothers are reasonable people, so they are unlikely to be bad people.

"Okay, please have a seat for a while."

Seeing that he had agreed, Zhong Lixue felt a little embarrassed, but she still obediently did as he said.

"Take your time, there's no rush."

Li An nodded, waved to her, and turned to walk back to his seat.

After he left, Zhong Lixue operated the ordering machine, paid with her phone, and started making milk tea.

Seeing her get busy, Wu Lingling couldn't wait to gossip: "Xiaoxue, what's the deal with the handsome young man you brought back?"

"Boy friend?"

Seizing the opportunity, Lu Yao, who was making milk tea nearby, also took the chance to speak.

She noticed Zhong Lixue the moment she brought the man into the store.

After Ang Lee sat down, she made milk tea while stealing glances at him. After observing him repeatedly, she confirmed one thing: this young man was quite handsome and looked clean and refreshing.

"What boyfriend? He's just my classmate. Don't get the wrong idea."

Zhong Lixue felt embarrassed by the two teasing her. She glanced at Li An and made sure he couldn't hear their conversation before she spoke up to explain.

"Oh, we're just classmates."

"Understood."

Wu Lingling and Lu Yao exchanged a smile and didn't ask any more questions.

Although Zhong Lixue denied the speculation, her shy and excited reaction was enough to say a lot.

Even if they aren't boyfriend and girlfriend, there's definitely a story between them.

"It's not what you think. The reason he came with me is because he just saved my life."

Seeing their sly smiles, Zhong Lixue quickly clarified the situation to avoid any misunderstanding and explained about the car accident.

"No wonder you were late today; you almost had a car accident! Are you alright?"

Upon learning the whole story, Wu Lingling was taken aback and looked her up and down with concern.

"I'm fine, I was just startled."

Zhong Lixue shook her head, because Li An's intervention was timely, and she was not injured at all.

"It was a hero saving a damsel in distress! Xiaoxue, shouldn't you repay him with your body?"

Realizing what had happened between them, Lu Yao's mind immediately became active, and she urged them on.

The hero rescuing the damsel in distress—a plot that only exists in TV shows and novels—actually happened in real life. Isn't that just too sweet?

"!"

Zhong Lixue, who was pouring milk from a large cup, trembled upon hearing her suggestion.

Offering yourself in return?

Thinking of this idea, she couldn't help but turn around and look at Li An sitting by the window, her thoughts burning like wild grass ignited by a spark.

To be honest, she had no idea how to repay the immense kindness of being saved.

After all, she was really short of money, and her phone only contained the little money she had left for living expenses. Even buying someone a cup of milk tea would be painful for her.

It wasn't that she was reluctant to part with it, but rather that she had no choice; she needed to save money to buy a second-hand laptop for her future homework.

In this situation, she wanted to repay the favor, and offering herself in marriage seemed to be the best option.

I'll date him, treat him well, marry him after graduation, and have several children with him!

Just as her thoughts were racing, Zhong Lixue looked at Li An's handsome profile, and the wildfire burning in her heart suddenly subsided.

What good would it do her to offer herself in return? He might not even agree.

She's not a school beauty, nor is she a rich and beautiful girl. Li is so handsome and popular with women. If he wanted to find a girlfriend, how could she possibly be a match for him?

With that in mind, Zhong Lixue looked away and lowered her head to continue making milk tea.

She'd better think about how to repay this life-saving kindness.

Wu Lingling and Lu Yao originally wanted to continue joking around, but when they saw her look away and lower her head in disappointment, they exchanged a glance and realized something was wrong.

Oh no, this isn't the way they expected! They wanted to see a blushing, shy, embarrassed, and silly laugh – the kind of reaction that makes you smile like a doting aunt.

Does that mean that handsome young man already has a girlfriend?

That makes sense; handsome young men like that are in high demand on campus.

……

Ang Lee returned to his seat and started playing on his phone when a message suddenly arrived.

"What time tonight?" My best friend from high school, Lao Zhu, wanted to ask me to play Delta Force tonight.

"I'm still out now, let's talk about it later." Ang Lee didn't rush to make a decision, and replied after thinking it over.

He planned to finish his milk tea before deciding what to do tonight.

"You're not on a date with a girl, are you?" Old Pig sent another message.

Ang Lee didn't expect him to be so perceptive, able to guess that he was with a girl.

"no."

Ang Lee couldn't help but glance at the busy figure behind the bar before denying his statement.

Zhong was at work, while I was waiting to drink milk tea, so it obviously didn't count as a date.

Old Pig: "Donnie Yen pointing and laughing (emoji)"

Old Pig: "You usually eat in the cafeteria at this time, and your reply is always that you're eating. There's no way you're saying you're out."

When Ang Lee saw the message he sent, he couldn't help but chuckle.

The difference in how they reply to messages is subtle, yet they can detect it. Is a pig's nose really that sensitive?

Although he saw through the deception, Ang Lee was not afraid and continued to deny it.

After all, he wasn't lying; he was telling the truth... Since it's a date, there has to be an appointment first for it to count as a date, right?

"Li, your milk tea is ready."

Not long after, Zhong Lixue came over with a tray of cups and placed it on the table.

"Thanks."

After thanking him, Ang Lee didn't stand on ceremony. He picked up a straw, opened the package, inserted it, and took a sip.

The flavor of this "Heart to Heart" is quite sweet, but not cloyingly so. It has a milky base with a hint of tea. Plus, it has a nice name, no wonder it's popular with young couples.

While he was tasting it, Zhong Lixue didn't rush away, but watched him with a mixture of trepidation and anticipation.

She didn't intend to repay the kindness by treating him to a cup of milk tea, but since it was her treat and she made the milk tea herself, she naturally hoped that Ang Lee would like it.

"It tastes pretty good."

Ang Lee noticed her anticipation, took several large gulps to quench his thirst, and then put down his milk tea before smiling and speaking to her.

"That's good."

Seeing him gulp down several large mouthfuls, Zhong Lixue was overjoyed and felt very happy.

A genuine smile can always touch people's hearts.

As she flashed a sweet smile, Ang Lee couldn't help but glance at her.

"Li, what's wrong?"

Zhong Lixue noticed him staring at her and was immediately puzzled. She raised her hand to touch the sideburns that were half-hidden against her cheek.

Although she dried her hair with a towel while putting on her apron backstage, her hair was still a little wet. Could that be the reason?

"It's nothing, I just think you look beautiful without your glasses."

Seeing the smile fade from her face, and feeling confused and puzzled, as if she hadn't realized she had just been smiling, Li An coughed awkwardly and explained.

Perhaps Zhong Lixue's transformation after taking off her glasses wasn't quite at the level of Cinderella stunning everyone when she put on her glass slippers, but her natural beauty was still evident.

"what?"

Zhong Lixue, who was still doubting herself, was suddenly startled.

Did she mishear? Li said she was very pretty.

"Um?"

Seeing her bewildered expression, Ang Lee couldn't help but feel strange.

Could this girl have an inferiority complex and never realize that she is beautiful?

"I went back to work."

Faced with his gaze, Zhong Lixue came to her senses and blushed. She left a sentence and fled to the bar like a startled deer.